THIRD PERSON POV:
It was November 5 and The Mariano Estate had never been this alive before...
Servants moved in perfect rhythm, florists adjusted arrangements for the third time, and the soft hum of preparations echoed through marble halls that had seen decades of power—but never this kind of excitement. Today wasn't just any event.
It was her day...It was her 21st Birthday this year.....
Cherry red ribbons curled around silver railings, black satin bows tied delicately across pillars, and crystal lights were being strung across the gardens like fallen stars.
Every inch of the estate was being transformed into something extravagant, something breathtaking.
Something worthy of Jasper Jean Mariano and something that screams her name anywhere people looked....
In the middle of it all—
Jace Hall Mariano was everywhere.
Running up the stairs, down the hallways, into the gardens, back inside again, his voice sharp but controlled as he checked every single detail. Nothing could be out of place.
Not today because his sister was returning home on her 21st Birthday and everything just had to scream perfection...
"Fix the lighting near the fountain," he instructed, barely sparing a glance. "And those flowers—no, not those ones. The deeper shade. Jay likes the deeper shade."
Because he knew.He always knew every little detail about his little sister was embedded in his brain...
Inside, Reycee Mariano stood near the grand staircase, overseeing the interior with a calm that only came from perfectionism. Her eyes scanned every arrangement, every detail aligning with the vision she had built for her daughter.
While Jashfer Mariano handled calls, confirming guests, security, arrivals—his presence steady, powerful, and quietly proud.
Two days ago, the invitations had been sent out.And tonight—London's elite would gather under one roof.Because the Mariano princess was coming home.
After three years.
Three years of video calls that never felt long enough.Three years of empty hallways that echoed just a little too much.Three years of waiting.
And now—She was finally returning home after she had graduated with the highest honours from the Milan University ,marking and embedding her name in almost every fashion house.....
"Mom, what's the time right now? We can't be late to go get Jay.." Jace called out, adjusting his cufflinks, already moving toward the entrance.
"It's four Jace we need to go right now to pick her up..the airport is atleast 25 minutes from our house..," Reycee replied, glancing at the clock. "Her flight lands at four-thirty."
That was all it took.Within minutes, they were already in the car.
A sleek Rolls Royce convoy rolled out of the estate, carrying anticipation, excitement, and something softer beneath it all. In Jace's hands was a signboard—glittering, dramatic, completely unnecessary.
WELCOME HOME, PRINCESS.
He didn't care.At the airport, everything felt louder.More restless.
People passed by in a blur, announcements echoed overhead, and yet—for the Mariano family, everything slowed down to a single moment.
Waiting.Watching.
And then—She walked in.
The doors slid open.And London greeted her again.
Jay stepped through with her black suitcase rolling behind her, the soft click of her knee-high cherry red leather boots echoing against the polished floor. Her outfit was effortless yet striking—a black mini skirt, a black tube top, layered under a sleek cherry red leather jacket.
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Sunglasses resting perfectly, like she belonged on a runway instead of an airport terminal.
Heads turned.They always did.But Jay didn't notice.Because her eyes had already found them.
And just like that—Everything else disappeared.
She screamed in top of her lungs
"MOM—!"
The suitcase was forgotten.The heels didn't matter.The image didn't matter.
She ran like her life depended on it straight into them.
Her arms wrapped tightly around her mother first, then her father, and then Jace—who didn't even pretend to stay composed as he pulled her into a crushing hug.
"You're finally back baby sissy," he murmured, his voice softer than anything else in that moment.
"I missed you all so freaking much..," Jay whispered, her voice breaking just slightly, buried against them.
And for a second—Just a second—She wasn't the Mariano heiress.
She was just their little girl.
The drive back felt like home before they even reached it.Laughter filled the car, overlapping voices, questions, stories—three years trying to fit into a single ride. Jay leaned against the seat, smiling in a way she hadn't in months.Comfortable.Whole.
And then—
"By the way princess,we are throwing you a party tonight."
Jay blinked.
"What?"
Jace smirked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "Yeah,a grand party with almost the entire London's elite families under one roof to celebrate your homecoming and your 21st Birthday sis..."
Her eyes widened.
"Wait—you're serious?"
Reycee smiled. "You think we'd let your twenty-first go quietly?"
Jay let out a soft laugh, shaking her head, but the excitement was already there—glowing, building, impossible to hide. "You guys are insane…"
"Don't speak just yet sis....you just wait till you see the house...and trust me your mind will actually blow away...," Jace added.
And when she did—She stopped breathing.
The gates opened slowly.
And the Mariano Estate unfolded in front of her.
Lights draped across trees, ribbons dancing in the evening breeze, the fountain glowing under soft crimson reflections. The entire place looked like something out of a dream—her dream.
Cherry red.Silver.Black.
Her colors.
"Oh my God…"
She stepped out of the car slowly, her eyes wide, taking in every detail, every effort, every piece of love poured into this.
"You like it?" Jace asked quietly.
Jay turned to him, eyes shining.
"Like it!????? I absolutely freaking love it.....My mind is literally blowing aparttt"
And she meant it..Inside, the energy didn't fade—it only grew.
Staff greeted her warmly, smiles everywhere, excitement barely contained. And before she could even take it all in, Reycee gently took her hand.
"Come baby... we don't have much time."
Jay barely had time to protest before she was guided upstairs.
Her room looked untouched.Perfect.Waiting.
And inside—A full glam team.
"Welcome back, Miss Mariano," one of them greeted with a smile.
Jay blinked, then laughed softly. "Of course… you all planned everything."
"Only the best for my daughter," Reycee said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Racks of gowns stood lined up like art pieces.
Heels arranged perfectly.Jewelry sparkling under soft lights.
Jay stepped closer slowly, her fingers brushing against fabrics, eyes scanning, heart still racing from everything. And then—
She saw it.
A deep cherry red gown.Off-shoulder.Elegant.
Powerful.. something that will outshine everyone in the room silently...She didn't need to think twice.
"This one."
"Excellent choice,Jay " Reycee spoke with glitter in her eyes....
Hours later—
She stood in front of the mirror..The gown hugged her perfectly, the rich color making her glow under the soft lights. Her hair fell in styled waves, makeup flawless yet refined, every detail aligned with who she was.And on her feet—Her Louboutins.
Jay stared at her reflection for a moment.Not smiling.Just… taking it in.Because tonight—She wasn't just coming home.
She was stepping back into a world that had been waiting for her.And somewhere in that world—Unseen.Unnoticed.Something else had already begun to shift.
Because this night?
Wasn't just about her birthday.It was the beginning of everything.